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One mile a day 'can cut cancer patients' death risk'

People with breast or prostate cancer could dramatically reduce their risk of dying by walking just one mile a day, new estimates suggest.

Walking for a mile at a moderate pace of around 3mph, or walking for 20 minutes a day could reduce breast cancer patients risk of dying from the disease by 40%, while those with prostate cancer could reduce their risk by 30%, according to the calculations.

Cancer patients 'can cut death risk by walking'

People with breast or prostate cancer could dramatically reduce their risk of dying by walking just one mile a day, new estimates suggest.

Walking for 20 minutes a day could dramatically reduce the risk of death. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Walking for a mile at a moderate pace of around 3mph, or walking for 20 minutes a day could reduce breast cancer patients risk of dying from the disease by 40%, while those with prostate cancer could reduce their risk by 30%, according to the calculations.

The estimates from Walking for Health, run by Macmillan Cancer Support and the Ramblers, have been based on guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer.

The guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week. For walking this must be "brisk" or "fast" walking, typically 3mph or faster.